Professional Filter Techniques for Digital Photographers

by Sholik, Stan

• ISBN13: 9781584281962
• ISBN10: 1584281960
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-12-01
• Publisher: Amherst Media

Summary

Providing total control of a photograph, this guidebook details camera filters and the simple, inexpensive ways they can be employed in order to move from simply taking pictures to capturing imaginative images. Discussing a vast array of filtersfrom screw-in and slide-on filters for traditional film cameras to the cutting edge, post-production software associated with digital camerasphotographers will find practical, professional advice alongside photo examples that illustrate the differences in every filtering decision. From manipulating flesh tones in portraits to color-balancing an architectural interior, this resource provides the methods to allow photographers to express their complete creative vision. Three helpful appendicesdiscussing light theory, how sensors record images, and metering systemsare also included.

Author Biography

Stan Sholik is the coauthor of Macro and Close-up Photography Handbook, Master Guide to Digital SLR Cameras, and Photographer’s Filter Handbook and his articles have appeared in Peterson’s Photographic, Photo Lab Management, Professional Photographer, and View Camera. He has worked as a professional photographer for more than 30 years. He lives in Santa Ana, California.

Table of Contents

Introduction	6	(1)
The Impact of Digital	6	(2)
Plug-in Filters	8	(1)
Hardware vs. Software Filters	8	(1)
Level of Expertise	8	(1)
Mac or Windows	8	(1)
Equipment Considerations	9	(1)
Camera	9	(1)
Lens	9	(1)
Metering	9	(1)
Tripod	9	(1)
Technical Information	9	(1)
Choosing a Camera Filter System	10	(8)
Screw-in or Slide-in	10	(1)
Screw-in Filters	10	(3)
Slide-in Filters	13	(1)
Filter Sizes	13	(1)
67mm (2.6-inch) Filters	13	(1)
84mm (3.3-inch) Filters	14	(1)
100mm (4-inch) Filters	14	(1)
Filter Materials	14	(2)
Gelatin	14	(2)
Polyester	16	(1)
Resin	16	(1)
Glass	16	(1)
Filter Factors	16	(1)
Lens Shades	17	(1)
Color-Conversion, Light-Balancing, and Color-Compensating Filters	18	(12)
Digital Imaging	18	(2)
White Balance	18	(2)
File Format	20	(1)
RAW Format	20	(1)
JPEG Format	20	(1)
Color-Conversion Filters	20	(3)
Filter Designations	20	(1)
85 Series	20	(1)
80 Series	21	(1)
Digital Options	21	(2)
Creative Applications	23	(1)
Light-Balancing Filters	23	(2)
Filter Designations	23	(1)
82 Series	23	(1)
81 Series	23	(1)
Combining Filters	23	(2)
Software Options	25	(1)
Creative Applications	25	(1)
Color-Compensating Filters	25	(3)
Filter Designations	26	(1)
Filter Materials	26	(1)
Creative Applications	26	(1)
Digital Options	27	(1)
Other Color-Balance Options and Tools	28	(2)
Filtering the Light	28	(1)
Colored Reflectors	29	(1)
Wallace ExpoDisc	29	(1)
Polarizing Filters	30	(9)
For the Camera	30	(7)
How They Work	30	(2)
Types of Polarizing Filters	32	(1)
Linear Polarizers	32	(1)
Circular Polarizers	32	(1)
Sizes and Multicoating	33	(1)
Additional Options	33	(1)
When to Use a Polarizing Filter	34	(3)
Filter Factor	37	(1)
For the Computer	37	(2)
Graduated Filters	39	(9)
Neutral-Density Graduated Filters	39	(4)
For the Camera	39	(1)
Hard vs. Soft Gradations	39	(1)
Filter Types and Alignment	40	(1)
Metering	41	(1)
For the Computer	41	(1)
Plug-in Filters	41	(1)
ND Grad Effects without a Plug-in Filter	41	(2)
Color Graduated Filters	43	(5)
For the Camera	43	(1)
Colors and Uses	44	(2)
Positioning	46	(1)
Exposure	46	(1)
Colored Grads in the Computer	47	(1)
Softening Filters: Soft-Focus, Diffusion, and Fog Filters	48	(10)
Camera Filters	50	(3)
Types of Filters	50	(1)
Filters with Random Elements	50	(1)
Filters with Regular Elements	51	(1)
Filters with Overall Texture	51	(1)
Filters with Net or Random Black Pattern	52	(1)
Degree of Softening	52	(1)
Lighting	53	(1)
Subject Size	53	(1)
Other Options	53	(1)
Software Filters	53	(5)
Neutral-Density and Contrast-Control Filters	58	(7)
Neutral-Density Filters	58	(5)
Camera Filters	58	(1)
Types	58	(1)
Using ND Filters	59	(1)
Software ND Filters	60	(3)
Contrast-Control Filters	63	(2)
Camera Contrast-Control Filters	63	(1)
Software Contrast-Control Filters	63	(2)
Enhancing Filters for Landscapes and People	65	(7)
Landscapes	65	(5)
Camera Filters	65	(1)
Digital Filters	65	(5)
Portraits	70	(2)
Special-Effects Filters	72	(13)
Star Filters	72	(5)
Hardware Star Filters	72	(2)
Software Star Filters	74	(3)
Diffraction Filters	77	(1)
Camera Filters	77	(1)
Software Filters	78	(1)
Multi-Image Filters	78	(1)
Types of Camera Filters	78	(1)
Using Camera Filters	79	(1)
Software Filters	79	(1)
Speed Filters	79	(2)
Camera Filters	79	(1)
Software Filters	80	(1)
Day for Night	81	(2)
Camera Filters	81	(1)
Software Filters	81	(2)
Unique Software Filters	83	(2)
Darkroom Effects	83	(1)
Posterization	83	(1)
Solarization	83	(1)
Cross Porcessing	84	(1)
Artistic Effects	85	(1)
Black & White Filters	85	(14)
Enduring Appeal	85	(1)
Enhanced Control	85	(1)
Simplicity	85	(1)
Better Tools	85	(1)
Cameras	85	(1)
Printers	86	(1)
Software	86	(1)
Filters in Monochrome Images	86	(3)
Controlling Tonal Relationships	89	(1)
Portraiture	89	(1)
Landscapes	90	(1)
Software for Converting to Monochrome	90	(9)
Channel Mixer	91	(1)
Desaturation vs. Grayscale/Monochrome Conversion	91	(1)
Filters	91	(1)
Studio Black/White	91	(2)
Convert to B&W Pro	93	(1)
Virtual Photographer	93	(1)
PhotoKit	94	(1)
55mm Collection	94	(2)
Color Efex Pro 2.0	96	(1)
Mystical Tint	96	(1)
Tinting and Toning	97	(2)
Infrared Effects	99	(7)
Digital Infrared Cameras	99	(2)
Remove the Built-in Filter Yourself	99	(1)
Have the Filter Professionally Removed	99	(1)
Use an Opaque Filter	100	(1)
Software Infrared Effects	101	(3)
IR Film	102	(1)
Infrared Black & White	102	(2)
Final Touches	104	(1)
Color Infrared	104	(2)
Close-Up Filters	106	(4)
How They Work	106	(2)
Image Quality	108	(2)
CONCLUSION	110	(1)
APPENDIX	111	(12)
Understanding Light	111	(2)
Lighting Contrast	111	(1)
Light Direction	112	(1)
Light Temperature	112	(1)
Primary Colors	113	(2)
Absorption of Light	115	(1)
Understanding Digital Cameras	115	(5)
Image Sensors	115	(2)
Creating Color	117	(1)
Infrared Cutoff	118	(1)
Anti-Aliasing	119	(1)
Resolution	119	(1)
Meters	120	(3)
Light Meters	120	(1)
Color-Temperature Meters	121	(1)
In-Camera Controls	122	(1)
Resources	123	(1)
Index	124